Steelers coach Mike Tomlin weighs in on a number of issues heading into this week's game:

The final preseason game against Carolina:

"It's the last opportunity for many of these men to state their case in a lot of regards, whether or not they are here or not or in terms of etching out their roles within the unit if they are here."

Playing with pain:

"Quite frankly, playing with nicks and so forth are part of the evaluation process because we all acknowledge that pain and discomfort are just as much a part of this game as blocking and tackling in many regards. So we are just continuing with this process. We are going to roll out and play some football."

How many positions are up for grabs:

"I haven't counted, because in my mind they all are. That's just my mentality. I know a lot of people don't share that mentality, but I can't help with that."

Jonathan Dwyer's playing time:

"He's going to get some burn like he did in the last game and probably more. But we are also interested in seeing what John Clay has to offer too, maybe James Johnson."

Legursky being only 6-foot-1:

"I am a football history buff. I just admire and respect the men that have played this game over the years. When you walk into the halls in Canton, those guys don't come in cookie-cutter shapes and sizes. Those guys come in a variety of heights and weights and body types. That's what is special about the game of football."

Keeping the starters out because they don't have anything to prove:

"I don't view it in that way. Some people do. This is the last opportunity to state a case and prepare ourselves for our regular season. So we are taking that approach to it. That's my mentality regarding it."